PALM SPRINGS, CA — To bareback or not to bareback, that is the question that every gay adult studio must answer before it can begin producing erotic content. Until recently, most responses took a clear stand on latex or no latex – but few had much to say on the topic of STD testing in general or HIV testing specifically. Hot Desert Knights, one of the leading barebacking studios in the business, has announced that from now on, its models will receive test for a wide range of STDs, including HIV.According to HotDesertKnights.com, the company is “happy to take the lead as the first bareback studio to provide testing and know that by doing so we are providing an environment for safer sex for all our talent.”

Although continuing its “No Condoms Allowed” policy, Hot Desert Knights president Bill Garner says that his company is “alarmed and shocked at the proliferation of new bareback studios, especially those from overseas, who are using increasingly younger models without providing any counseling or information regarding STD transmission… It appears as if these studios care little for the health and safety of their models.”

A series of conversations with executive director of the Free Speech Coalition, Diane Duke, put the company on the road testing for syphilis, gonorrhea, Chlamydia, HIV, and hepatitis A, B, and C in conjunction with the Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation, Gardner says. After being introduced to AIM executive director Sharon Mitchell by Duke, Garner explains that “HDK concluded that it is possible to test models and provide a safer workplace, while still maintaining our models’ privacy rights.”

Mitchell is more than pleased by the association, reminding producers throughout the country that AIM affiliated testing labs “are available in all 50 states” and that the organization is “delighted to be serving the gay industry in body, mind, emotion, and spirit.”

Although always an matter for heated philosophical debate, concerns about barebacking in gay videos become even more controversial in 2004, when two models tested positive after performing in an adult release. The possibility of a two-month filming moratorium was discussed, with the assumption that it would provide time to contact, educate, and test all involved. At that time, AIM was administering tests to more than 1,000 performers in the adult industry, with regular testing periods being spaced three weeks apart.

Although happy to assist those seeking guidance, Duke is quick to point out that “FSC’s role is not a regulatory one, but rather one that provides information and resources to assist adult businesses to make responsible decisions for themselves, the industry, and industry professionals.”

Duke also hopes that the organization can help facilitate discussion on the topic, something likely to happen if other production company’s respond favorably to Gardner’s urging “all gay studios to consider testing all models for STDs if they truly wish to provide a safer work environment.”

Additionally, neither Gardner nor HDK see testing positive for HIV as the end of an erotic performer’s career. Instead, testing will allow directors to pair models by sero-sorting, allowing those who are negative to work together, as well as giving those who are HIV+ the opportunity to perform together.